Community Schools Institute

Our Schools. Our Solutions.

Building Community Schools

The mission of the Community Schools Institute (CSI) is to encourage the growth and development of Community Schools through hosting institutes.

Teams from across the country meet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to for three and a half days sharing experiences, hearing from experience community school organizers and planning for development and/or expansion of community schools in their districts.

Over the past decade community schools have become increasing popular in districts that recognize that the entire community needs to take responsibility for the welfare and education of the community’s children and youth.

Our vision of community schools is that they are anchors in the community, greenhouses of democracy where educators, students, parents, and community members work together to create high quality schools that are connected to and serve the surrounding neighborhoods.

Our vision goes well beyond wrap around health and social services most associated with community schools, as important as they are. We believe community schools must be governed through shared leadership. Schools should put high priority on engaging, culturally relevant curriculum, restorative practices, and parent engagement. For more details about the components of community schools click here.

The CSI is a joint project of the Center for Organizing of the National Education Association, the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, the Center for Popular Democracy and the Milwaukee Center for Teaching, Learning and Public Education.

Upcoming Institutes

Thurs., October 5 through Sun., October 8, 2017

Thurs., November 2 through Sun., November 5, 2017

Thurs., February 22 through Sun., February 25, 2018

Thurs., March 22 through Sun., March 25, 2018

Thurs., April 19 through Sun., April 22, 2018

Meet the Community Schools Institute Team

Bob Peterson

Community Schools Institute CoordinatorMilwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, Past President​Rethinking Schools, Editor and President of the Board of Directors